ST. GEORGE — Region 9’s high schools recently announced this year’s all-region team, as selected by the coaches.

Dixie quarterback Reggie Graff leads his team in a prayer following the Flyers’ 60-13 loss to Orem in the 4A state championship football game, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nov. 16, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

Dixie High School senior middle linebacker Jake Staheli was named the overall Most Valuable Player for Region 9, while Dixie junior quarterback Reggie Graff was named the offensive MVP and Pine View senior linebacker Koa Isaacs-Katoa was named the defensive MVP.

Staheli, a three-year starter, played a key role in helping the Flyers to an 11-2 season, including finishing runner-up in the state 4A championship. Staheli led the team with 75 tackles, including 15 for loss. He also made two interceptions and had five fumble recoveries.

“Jake is one of the leaders on our team,” Dixie head coach Blaine Monkres told St. George News. “He worked hard every day in practice to make himself and his teammates better. I knew early in the preseason that he was going to be a good player while going against him in practice.

“He has a great nose for the ball. There will be big shoes to fill when he is not here next year.”

Monkres also had high praise for Graff, who he said “got better each week throughout the season.”

“He is a guy that likes to put in the time, whether it is in the weight room, on the field or studying film,” Monkres said.

Graff’s impressive season stats included completing 170-of-300 passes for 2,455 yards and 24 touchdowns, while throwing just 4 interceptions. He also rushed for 675 yards and scored another 14 TDs on the ground.

Defensive MVP Isaacs-Katoa led the Panthers with 51 tackles this season, including 3.5 sacks.

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a player that has worked so hard in the weight room and on his skills to become the best that he can be,” Pine View head coach Ray Hosner said. “Koa dominated defensively all year for us and was a standout last year as well. He has a great future in this game and I know he’ll continue to work hard and get better and better.”

Additionally, Pine View senior Connor Brooksby was named the region’s top kicker. Brooksby converted 72 PATs this season and kicked 10 field goals, bringing his career totals to 209 extra points and 33 field goals. Both marks are the second-highest career totals of any Utah high school athlete. He was 11-for-11 in PAT kicks during the Panthers’ 77-13 win over Hurricane on Oct. 4.

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About the Author

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News. He covered news, features, and sports as a part-time reporter for the Times-Independent, Moab's weekly community newspaper, and has contributed stories and photos to various other media outlets. He also taught high school English, journalism, and computer classes for 12 years, and was the school's yearbook and student newspaper adviser. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters, and also have two young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

6 Comments

How was the defensive mvp voted on. We have the kid from Desert Hills 3rd in the state with 132 tackles and your pick from PV 210th in the state with 56 tackles. That’s not even in the same universe when the both play linebacker

I agree with Mj1fann. The coaches don’t vote, they pick. All State is run the same way. You are given a slotted number of picks based on how you finished in region or state. My picks are: Graff, MVP – Obvious Leader; Brown – Offense – Talented competitor; Andrus- Defense, sorry the other gift was unbelievable; Kicker- Callister- led state in punting, field goals made and was 100% on all P.A.T.s- no one else could make that claim. Coaches, quit picking your favorites based on how well they did in the weight room.

So what you are telling me is they receive a reward for being popular? That is not right. Bronson Andrus was 3rd in the state in tackles Koa was 210th in the state in tackles. Not even close. Coaches should be ashamed of them selves for not looking a stats and going off of popularity. Brown from PV was hands down the biggest offensive threat for any team but he is labeled as a bad boy so he gets nothing. Something needs to change in the way they vote!!!

I agree with Mj1fann. The coaches don’t vote, they pick. All State is run the same way. You are given a slotted number of picks based on how you finished in region or state. My picks are: Graff, MVP – Obvious Leader; Brown – Offense – Talented competitor; Andrus- Defense, sorry the other gift was unbelievable; Kicker- Callister- led state in punting, field goals made and was 100% on all P.A.T.s- no one else could make that claim. Coaches, quit picking your favorites based on how well they did in the weight room.